Adidas Adizero Boston 8 review

I enjoy running in the Boston 8 and will keep them in my rotation in the future. The shoe has a simple and race-like feel but can handle the rigors of daily training. The upper performs well but feels cheap in hand.

The midsole provides a smooth transition between strides and adapts to your pace. The Continental Rubber outsole succeeds on any surface.

I would recommend the Adidas Adizero Boston 8 for any runner that wants a lightweight shoe that they can rely on for anything.

My experience with the Adizero Boston lineup

The Adidas Boston Boost 5 was a nearly perfect shoe for me: lightweight, durable, springy, and smooth. I bought multiple pairs and used them for all types of running: long runs, trails, workouts, daily training, and races.

After the Boston Boost 5, I tried versions 6 and 7. However, I did not like them as much as the five, due to their lower heel collar and more sluggish feel.

Now, that I have run 50 miles in the Adidas Adizero Boston 8, I have noticed some durability issues and have a couple of critiques, but I am largely pleased with the shoes’ snappy and do-everything-well capabilities. 

Appearance of the Adizero Boston 8

The aesthetic of the Boston 8, especially in my black and white colorway, appears bland and the materials seem cheap. The shoe has big Adidas stripes toward the front and a glossy “BOSTON” imprint on the heels.

I appreciate simple and subtle uppers; the Boston 8 maintains simplicity but lacks subtly due to the large and bold placement of the three stripes logo.

Further, the materials used in the previous model seemed to be of higher quality. With the Boston 8, Adidas uses a scratchy, plastic-like mesh that would be fine on $99 shoe but disappoints in the $120 price range.

Secure fit

The Boston 8 fits true to size and worked with my foot perfectly. It definitely is not as narrow as some of its predecessors and should fit most feet, but it still has a race-oriented snug fit that may be a bit too tight for some runners.

I did not have any problems with heel slippage and did not have to use the final eyelet, which is good, because the laces do run a little short.

All praises for the Boston 8 upper

Even though the upper feels cheap in hand, it performs well during runs.

I was worried that the shoe would not have enough structure around my arch due to the change in the placement of the Adidas logo, which wrapped around the foot in previous models, but that did not cause any issues. I felt stable and locked in.

Additionally, the upper was comfortable. I did not develop any hotspots, have to fidget with the tongue or feel too restricted in any way.

Boost cushioning performs as expected

The Boost midsole won my heart in the Boston 5. The boost is mostly concentrated in the heel and midfoot. The forefoot contains standard EVA.

This combination leads to a very smooth transition. When your foot lands, whether you strike with your heel or with the ball of your foot, the boost material cushions the impact and bounces you back up.

Then, the firm and more responsive EVA, in tandem with the plastic torsion piece, helps you quickly turn over to the next stride. After 50 miles, the midsole has held up well and feels just as lively as it did during the first mile. The midsole makes the Boston 8 a very versatile shoe.

The Boost and EVA material provide enough cushioning that I was comfortable on longer runs and its ability to transition smoothly and quickly made it easy for me to pick up the pace during a couple of fartlek workouts.

The Boston 8 maintains its standing as one of the rare shoes that feel fast during a 5k and reliable enough to eat up the daily miles.

Grippy and hard-wearing Continental rubber

The Continental Rubber Outsole performed very well. I had good traction on pavement that helped me maintain a quick turnover.

I did not slip at all in the rain, even when I ran over metal or other slick surfaces. And on trails, mulch, and gravel my feet felt protected and gripped the terrain nicely.

However, I am not sure how it holds up with regard to durability. After 50 miles, I have already noticed some worn areas on the outsole. Particularly, there’s a tear in the rubber at midfoot on the right shoe.

This could be my fault–maybe I stepped on some grass or a sharp rock–but it’s worth mentioning. The Continental Rubber is still likely more durable than many competitors that use mostly an EVA outsole (think HOKA, Saucony Kinvara, etc.).

Facts / Specs

Terrain: Road
Weight: Men 9oz / Women 7oz
Drop: 10mm
Arch support: Neutral
Update: Adidas Adizero Boston 10
Forefoot height: 19mm
Heel height: 29mm

Compare popularity Interactive

Compare the popularity of another shoe to Adidas Adizero Boston 8: